FR2905243A1 - Cosmetic product e.g. mascara, applicator e.g. brush, has elements oriented in pull direction, when panel is in mold plane and radially oriented with respect to longitudinal axis in directions distributed around axis, when panel is folded - Google Patents

Abstract

The applicator has a plastic panel molded into a single block and provided in a mold plane, when the panel is formed and folded outside the mold plane for surrounding a longitudinal axis in extension, where the applicator is made of molded plastic. Elements e.g. bristles, are formed in or over the panel and are oriented in a common pull direction (D) transversal to the mold plane, when the panel is in the mold plane. The elements are radially oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis in directions distributed around the axis, when the panel is folded for surrounding the axis. An independent claim is also included for a method of fabricating a cosmetic product applicator.

Description

COSMETIC PRODUCT APPLICATORS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING

  The application claims the priority of U.S. Patent Applications Nos. 60 / 838,973, filed August 16, 2006, and No. 60 / 85,3,378, filed October 20, 2006, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to applicators for cosmetic products, such as molded plastic applicators, and methods for making them. The invention more particularly relates to brushes for applying mascara or the like.

  Brushes of the type commonly referred to as twisted wire, consisting of fibers pinched at their midpoints in a twisted core, are well known and widely used in the cosmetics industry.  Although acceptable for the application of mascara, these brushes have certain disadvantages.  They are relatively expensive, and there is only a limited number of suppliers.  In addition, a conventional twisted wire brush offers virtually only one type of brush profile for both transferring mascara from a container to the face and applying mascara to the eyelashes.  To improve the application, it would be advantageous to provide mascara brushes having other structures; but the diversity of possible configurations of twisted wire brushes is limited by the requirement to cut the bristles to obtain the desired shapes, and by the difficulty of forming and positioning the knives to make such a cut.  It has also been proposed for this purpose to use plastic brushes and combs as mascara applicators.  Suppliers of injection molded products are very abundant, the cost of a molded brush may be less than that of a twisted wire brush, and a wide variety of designs is theoretically possible.  The production of molded plastic brushes with radiating bristles distributed around a cylindrical core or the like, however, has encountered substantial difficulties in separating the brush from the mold due to interference between the divergently inclined brush fibers. and mold recesses provided to form them, unless special and complex multi-part structures are used.  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in a first aspect, briefly provides for the provision of an applicator for cosmetics or the like, comprising a carrier member converted from an expanded configuration to a folded configuration; and a plurality of elements including projections or apertures or mixtures thereof provided in an initial orientation relative to each other in or on the support member in the extended configuration, at least some of the elements being reoriented relative to each other. to other elements when the support member is transformed into the folded configuration.  This construction, in which the support member is converted from one configuration to another while at least some of the provided elements are reoriented relative to one another, facilitates the use of manufacturing methods that allow for diversity. It is desirable to form and order the elements of the applicator, but for this reason it has been attempted with difficulties such as those discussed above.  As particularly exemplified by molded plastic applicators for cosmetics or the like, an applicator according to the invention may comprise an integrally molded plastic panel lying substantially in a mold plane when formed and folded outside the mold plane to surround a longitudinal axis in extension; and a plurality of elements formed in or on the panel, oriented substantially in a direction of common traction transverse to the mold plane when the panel is in the mold plane, and oriented substantially radially with respect to the axis longitudinal in directions distributed around the axis when the panel is folded to surround the axis.  The term elements includes both projections and apertures, and includes, without limitation, projections such as bristles, teeth, or fibers, as well as holes, cavities, and notches.  Also according to the invention, in illustrative or preferred embodiments thereof, a stopper is provided, keeping the panel bent out of the plane in a relationship surrounding the axis.  The terms mold plane and tensile direction are used herein with reference to conventional types of molds, such as injection molds, for making plastic articles, characterized in that they have profiled mold surfaces. relatively movable which face each other on opposite sides of an imaginary plane (mold plane) and, during a molding operation, move relative to each other and one moving away from the other in a direction (traction direction) perpendicular to the plane.  When the mold plates are brought together, the respective profiled mold surfaces meet and cooperatively define a volume which is filled with a plastic material, thereby to mold the material into an article having the configuration of the defined volume.  The substantially initial planar configuration of the panel and the orientation of the substantially parallel initial traction direction of the members formed in or above, in the applicators of the invention, facilitate the separation of the molded article from the applicator, while the subsequent folding of the panel about a longitudinal axis transforms the article into an applicator having, for example, a generally cylindrical or conical core with elements being for example hairs or fibers distributed all around and generally projecting from radially from the core, in the illustrative case of a mascara brush or the like, thereby overcoming the difficulty of molding such brush without resorting to complex molding equipment.  In particular embodiments, the panel comprises a plurality of relatively rigid portions interconnected by relatively flexible hinge portions to permit folding of the panel out of the mold plane to surround the longitudinal axis without substantial deformation of the relatively rigid portions. .  Thus, the panel may comprise a hub area in alignment with the longitudinal axis, which is transverse to the mold plane, and the relatively rigid portions may comprise a plurality of members extending radially from the hub when the panel is substantially in the mold plane, each member having a free end and a second end, with the hinge portions respectively connecting the second ends of the members to the hub area of the panel so that members are foldable relative thereto so as to be parallel to and surround the axis.  The limbs may respectively have surfaces facing away from the axis as members surround the axis, and the members may be projections formed on and extending from the limb surfaces.  Alternatively, the members may be apertures formed in and extending along respective limbs, and the applicator may further comprise a plurality of projections formed in the apertures by insert moldings in a manner similar to those shown therein. extend away from the axis.  The applicator of the invention, in these embodiments, may also include an elongated rod integrally molded with, and extending along the axis from, the hub area such that the limbs when bent around the stem; and the retainer may engage the free ends of the limbs to maintain them in surrounding relation to the stem.  In other embodiments, the relatively rigid portions are parallel to each other and to the axis when the panel is substantially in the mold plane, and the hinge portions are disposed between, and parallel to, the Relatively rigid portions for foldably interconnecting adjacent portions of the relatively rigid portions.  The elements may be openings formed in the relatively rigid portions, with the applicator also including projections inserted into and extending out through the openings as the panel surrounds the axis.  To provide such projections, the applicator may have a second integrally molded plastic panel lying substantially in a mold plane when formed and folded out of the last mentioned plane to surround the longitudinal axis to inside the foreground mentioned, the second panel bearing the projections.  In yet other embodiments, the panel is sufficiently flexible so as to be folded about the aforementioned axis with a substantially continuous surface curvature, and the elements are projections formed on, and extending to , -the outside from the folded panel.  For example, the panel can.  initially formed as a rectangle which is folded into a substantially cylindrical configuration with two long edges of the panel parallel to each other and to the axis, and may be provided with relatively rigid members extending respectively along these edges 10 in an abutting relation to each other when the panel is in the cylindrical configuration, the retainer comprising an element holding the rigid members together.  In further embodiments, the panel comprises an elongated strip having a surface, the elements are projections extending from this surface, and the strip is folded in a spiral about the aforementioned axis with the surface bearing the projections. facing outward.  The retainer may comprise a substantially rigid core extending along the axis and engaging the web to support and maintain the spiral, or it may comprise a wire extending longitudinally through the web, the web The wire is twisted in a spiral fashion to form and hold the spiral and the web being molded around the wire.  In another aspect, the invention encompasses a method of manufacturing an applicator for cosmetics or the like, comprising providing a foldable support member in an extended configuration, providing in or on the 2905243 8 support, while the support member is in the first configuration, a plurality of elements comprising projections or openings or their mixtures having an initial orientation relative to each other, and the transformation of the element supporting the first configuration in a second configuration by folding to form a base or core of the applicator, thereby reorienting at least some of the elements relative to other elements.  Again as exemplified by the manufacture of molded plastic applicators, this method may include molding a one-piece, collapsible plastic panel lying substantially in a mold plane and having a plurality of molded plastics. elements formed in or on the panel and oriented substantially in a direction of common traction transverse to the mold plane, these elements being at least projections and openings; and folding the panel out of the plane 20 to surround an extended longitudinal axis such that the members are oriented substantially radially of the axis in directions distributed about the axis.  The panel may then be engaged by a stopper to maintain the folded panel out of the plane and in a relationship surrounding the axis.  In addition, the invention includes a molded plastic applicator for cosmetics or the like, comprising a molded plastic panel initially located substantially in a mold plane and converted into a folded configuration at least partially out of the plane of the mold. mold, and a plurality of elements formed in or on the panel, initially oriented in at least (i) a substantially common tensile direction transverse to the mold plane or (ii) the mold plane, at least some of the elements being reoriented with respect to other elements when the panel is converted into the folded configuration, and wherein any elements initially oriented in the substantially common tensile direction are protrusions or apertures and any elements initially oriented in the mold plane are projections.  In accordance with the invention, the panel may be molded around an elongate foldable and now shaped insert, the panel initially being substantially in a mold plane and converted into a folded configuration at least partially out of the mold plane. by folding the insert into the folded configuration.  In particular embodiments, the elements are projections, the insert is a wire having opposite ends, and the panel is converted into the folded configuration by a method comprising folding the wire into a substantially U-shaped shape having substantially parallel legs and twisting the legs each around the other.  Also in accordance with the invention, the elements may be configured protruding bristles (e.g., with non-circular cross sections) so as to have greater flexibility in a first direction transverse to their lengths than in a second direction. cross direction to their lengths.  Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a simplified and partial elevation cross-section of a mold for forming an illustrative molded plastic article of the panel and associated members of the applicator of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view similarly simplified of a molded plastic article produced by the mold of Figure 1 with the article panel in the mold plane; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the article of Figure 2 as folded to surround an extended longitudinal axis; Figure 4 is a cross-section of the article as folded in Figure 3.  Figure 5 is a perspective view of an applicator embodying the invention in a particular form with the panel in a mold plane; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the applicator of Figure 5 at an intermediate phase in folding the panel out of the mold plane; Figure 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the applicator of Figure 5 with the panel completely folded to surround the extended longitudinal axis, also illustrating the retainer and the handle of the applicator; Figure 8 is a view, similar to Figure 5 but partially exploded, of a modified form of the applicator of Figure 5.  Figures 9 and 10 are partial enlarged perspective views illustrating two alternative types of inserts bearing projections for the applicator of Figure 8, mounted in a limb of the applicator; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the member-mounted insert of Figure 9; Figures 11A, 11B and 11C are similar views of modified structures of the limb-mounted insert of Figure 9; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the limb-mounted insert of Figure 10; Fig. 13 is a plan view of the outer panel of another embodiment of the invention shown as being in a mold plane; Figure 14 is an exploded transverse view, taken along line AA of Figure 13, of the outer and inner panels of the applicator of Figure 13, both shown as being in planes. mold; Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14 showing the outer and inner panels in an assembled relationship but still in mold planes; Figures 16 and 17 are transverse views, respectively taken along the lines A-A and B-B of Figure 13, of the applicator of Figure 13 folded to surround an extended longitudinal axis; Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of the outer and inner panels of another embodiment of the applicator of the invention, both of which are in mold planes; Figs. 19 and 20 are partial enlarged cross-sectional views, respectively, of portions of the inner panels of the embodiments of Figs. 13 and 18, illustrating the difference between the types of projections used in these two embodiments; Figure 21 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the inner panel of Figure 18 taken along the line A-A of Figure 18; Figure 22 is an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment of the applicator 20 of the invention; Figure 23 is a perspective view of the applicator panel of Figure 22 in a mold plane; Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the panel of Fig. 23, located in the mold plane; Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of the same panel, folded to surround an extended longitudinal axis; Figure 26 is an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment of the applicator of the invention; Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator panel of Figure 26 in a mold plane; Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the panel of Fig. 27 folded to surround an extended longitudinal axis; Figure 29 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the applicator of Figure 26, fully assembled for use; Figure 30 is a perspective view of the panel of another embodiment of the invention in a mold plane; Figure 31 is an exploded perspective view of the applicator of Figure 30 with the panel folded to surround an extended longitudinal axis; Figure 32 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the invention, before the panel is folded; Figure 33 is a view similar to Figure 32 but showing the panel folded; Figures 34, 35 and 36 are perspective views of a modified form of the applicator of Figure 32, illustrating the successive phases of assembly of the applicator; Figure 37 is a view similar to Figure 36 illustrating an alternative core structure for the applicator; Figs. 38 and 39 are partial enlarged perspective views illustrating two exemplary arrangements of projections for the embodiments of Figs. 32 and 34; Figure 40 is a partial perspective view of the panel of another modified form of the applicator of Figure 32, at a first folding step of the panel; Figure 41 is a view similar to Figure 40 showing an intermediate folding phase of the panel; Figure 42 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the panel of Figure 40.  Figure 43 is a cross-sectional view of the same panel taken along the line A-A of Figure 42.  Fig. 44 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the applicator of Fig. 40, with the panel lying in a mold plane, illustrating a particular hair arrangement; Figures 45, 46, 47 and 48 are schematic side views illustrating the successive folding phases of the applicator panel of Figure 40; Figure 48A is a flowchart of the method of forming an applicator of the type of Figure 48 from the molded panel of the type shown in Figure 45; Figures 49 and 50 are schematic side views, respectively corresponding to Figures 46 and 48, illustrating the successive phases of folding of a modified form of the applicator; Fig. 51 is a schematic side cross section of another embodiment of the invention, incorporating a panel of the general type shown in Fig. 40.  Figures 52, 53 and 54 are perspective views of another modified form of the applicator of Figure 32, illustrating the successive phases of assembly of the applicator; Figures 52A, 53A and 54A are schematic side views of successive phases of assembly of a modified form of the applicator of Figure 54.  Figure 55 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative band structure for the applicator of Figures 52-54; Figures 56A, 56B and 56C are cross-sections taken respectively along the lines A-A, B-B and C-C of Figure 55.  Figs. 57A, 57B and 57C are partial plan views of the portions of the strip of Fig. 55 shown respectively in sectional view in Figs. 56A, 56B and 56C; Figure 58 is an exploded schematic view illustrating another modification of the applicator of Figure 32.  Figures 59A, 59B, 59C, 59D, 59E and 59F are cross-sections taken respectively along the lines A-A, B-B, C-C, D-D, E-E and F-F of Figure 58.  Fig. 60 is a simplified perspective view of another panel for use in the manufacture of an applicator according to the invention; Figure 61 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the panel of Figure 60.  Figures 62, 63, 64 and 65 are perspective views of various applicators made by folding the panel of Figure 60.  Fig. 66 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of Fig. 65.  Fig. 67 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another panel for use in the manufacture of an applicator according to the invention; Fig. 68 is a perspective view of the panel of Fig. 67.  Fig. 69 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of still another panel for use in the manufacture of an applicator according to the invention; Fig. 70 is a perspective view of the panel of Fig. 69.  Figs. 71 and 72 are perspective views illustrating the successive phases of forming yet another panel for use in the manufacture of an applicator according to the invention; Figs. 73A, 73B and 73C are cross sections of the panel; Figure 72, taken along lines AA, BB and CC, respectively, of Figure 71.  Figure 74 is a perspective view of an applicator embodying the invention produced by folding or folding the panel of Figure 72.  Figures 75A, 75B and 75C are cross-sections taken along lines A-A, B-B and C-C, respectively, of Figure 74.  Figure 76 is a perspective view of another panel for use in the manufacture of an applicator according to the invention; Figure 77 is a cross-section taken along the line A-A of Figure 76.  Fig. 79 is a perspective view of an applicator embodying the invention produced by folding or folding the panel of Fig. 76.  Figure 78 is a cross-section taken along the line B-B of Figure 79.  Figure 80 is a perspective view of another panel for use in the manufacture of an applicator according to the invention; Figure 81 is a cross-section taken along the line A-A of Figure 80.  Figure 82 is a perspective view of an applicator embodying the invention produced by folding or folding the panel of Figure 80.  Figure 83 is a cross-section taken along the line B-B of Figure 82.  Figure 84 is a perspective view of another panel for use in the manufacture of an applicator according to the invention; Figure 85 is a plan view of the panel of Figure 84.  Figure 86 is a cross-sectional view of the panel of Figure 85.  Figure 87 is a side view of the panel of Figure 85 after performing a first folding step to transform the panel into an applicator embodying the invention; Figure 88 is a cross-sectional view of the panel of Figure 87.  Fig. 89 is a side view of the panel of Fig. 85 after performing a second folding step to complete the transformation of the panel into the applicator; Figure 90 is a cross-section of the applicator of Figure 89.  Figure 91 is a perspective view of the applicator of Figure 89.  Figure 92 is a perspective view of another applicator embodying the invention; Figure 93 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the applicator of Figure 92.  Figure 94 is a view, similar to Figure 93, of a modified form of the applicator of Figure 92.  Figures 95, 96 and 97 are schematic side cross-sections illustrating the successive phases of tuft tuft formation along a member of an applicator of the general type shown in Figures 5 to 12; Figures 98, 99 and 100 are schematic side cross-sections illustrating the successive phases of one embodiment of the procedure for forming tufts of bristles along a member of an applicator of the general type shown in the figures. 18 and 20 to 21; Figures 101, 102 and 103 are schematic side cross sections illustrating the successive phases of another embodiment of the procedure for forming tufts of bristles along a member of an applicator of the general type shown. in Figures 18 and 20 to 21; Figures 104 and 105 are enlarged partial isometric views of an applicator of the type shown in Figure 7, illustrating a modified hair configuration and respectively showing two different hair schedules; Fig. 106 is a view illustrating the applicator 10 of Fig. 105 in use, applying mascara to eyelashes; Figure 107 is an isometric view of a panel or strip of the general type shown in Figure 40, with a modified pile configuration similar to that illustrated in Figures 104 and 105; and Fig. 108 is a schematic side view of an applicator embodying the invention produced by turning the strip of Fig. 107 into a spiral.  DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 to 4 are illustrative schematic drawings of various general terms and relationships relevant to the applicator and method of the present invention in certain embodiments thereof.  In particular, Figure 1 is a very simplified representation of relevant features of an injection mold 10 of a generally conventional type suitable for use in producing molded plastic articles such as cosmetic applicators.  The mold comprises upper and lower mold plates 290 and 11 which are relatively movable towards each other and one moving away from the other in a direction here referred to as the pulling direction and indicated by arrow D.  The plates respectively have mold surfaces which face each other on opposite sides of a mold plane P which is perpendicular to the traction direction D, the surfaces being configured as indicated at 14 and 15 of FIG. to form protrusions and openings in the molded article.  When fed together, the mold surfaces cooperatively define a mold cavity 16 to be filled with a plastic material to be molded.  The article produced in the mold 10 is an integrally molded plastic panel 18 having the shape of the mold cavity 16 and being substantially in the mold plane P when it is formed.  Elements such as projections (e.g., bristles, teeth or fibers) and / or apertures 22 (e.g., cavities, holes, or notches) are formed on or in the panel, in solidarity with it, in the molding process.  According to the invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, these elements are all oriented substantially in a common traction direction transverse to the mold plane P when the panel is in the mold plane; that is, in such a panel condition, the directions d20 in which the protrusions 20 extend and the directions d22 in which the openings 22 open are all substantially parallel to the direction of traction D perpendicular to the mold plane P.  By virtue of this scheduling, the mold plates are easily separated and the produced article is easily removed or pulled from the mold without being interfered with by interference between the profiled portions of the mold surfaces and the elements of the molded process.  It is not essential that the panel thus formed be strictly planar or that the protrusions and / or openings be strictly parallel to each other and to the direction of traction, as long as the extent of the deviation from the planarity or parallelism does not cause difficulty for the opening of the mold and the withdrawal of the molded article.  As shown in Figures 3 and 4, after being molded, the panel 18 is bent out of the mold plane so as to surround an extended longitudinal axis A, which is the axis of the final product applicator.  For example, the panel 18 of Figure 2 is contoured so that it can be bent or bent into a substantially cylindrical shape with the axis A as the geometric axis of the cylinder.  When the panel is thus folded, the elements (projections 20 and / or openings 22) are oriented substantially radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A in directions distributed around the axis A.  This scheduling is illustrated in Figure 4, in which the R lines radiating from the A axis (in a plane perpendicular thereto) at spaced locations from the point of view of the angle about the axis. A are shown as coincident with the directions in which the projections 20 extend and the directions in which the openings 22 open.  Again, it is not essential that these directions strictly coincide with the centric A-axis rolls of the cylinder, provided that they are oriented in different angle directions, distributed around them. of such a cylinder.  The article of Figures 2 to 4 exemplifies the manner in which the present invention overcomes the problems previously associated with the production of cosmetic applicators such as mascara brushes having fibers or bristles radiating outwardly around the circumference of a cylindrical or conical core, that is, by initially molding a generally planar extension panel carrying elements such as substantially parallel oriented bristles or fibers relative to one another for ease of mold separation and then transforming the board from a generally planar initial shape to a substantially cylindrical configuration in which the fibers or bristles radiate outward at angles relative to each other around the periphery of the roll.  Figures 5 to 7 illustrate an embodiment of the applicator of the invention comprising a plastic panel 30 consisting of a small hexagonal central hub area 32, six long narrow members 34 of equal length radiating outwardly From the hub area with adjacent members spaced 60 and each having a free outer end 36, and six flexible hinge portions 38 respectively joining the hub area to the inner ends of the six members.  The hub area is the upper end of an elongated straight plastic rod 40 of hexagonal cross-section.  In the molded state of the panel, shown in Figure 5, the hub area, limbs and hinge portions are substantially in a common plane (the mold plane), while the rod extends downwards from the mold plane in the direction of traction, with its geometric longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the mold plane.  The hub, limbs, hinge parts and rod are integrally molded as a single unit.  Each of the members 34 has an upper surface carrying a multiplicity of bristles 42 projecting therefrom in a direction (the previously defined pulling direction) which is substantially perpendicular to the mold plane when the limbs are in the plane. mold as shown in Figure 5.  in such a condition, the bristles on all six limbs are substantially parallel to each other and also parallel to the aforementioned geometric axis of the shaft.  These bristles, illustrated as arranged in two parallel rows on each limb (although scheduling variants may be used), occupy a major portion of the upper surface of each limb starting at the articulated inner end of the limb, but each member also has a bristle-free outer portion 44 of the upper surface extending toward the outer end 36.  The bristles may be molded integrally with the panel 30 and the shaft 40, or (as explained below) they may be added to the panel members in a subsequent insert molding operation.  Since the molded panel 30, including the hub area, the limbs and the hinge portions, is substantially in the mold plane, while the rod 40 (and the bristles 42, if formed in the same molding operation as the panel) are oriented substantially in the traction direction perpendicular to the mold plane in the molded condition of FIG. 5, the entire unit can be integrally molded into a mold of generally conventional injection, and the mold plates can be opened and the produced unit separated from them without difficulty.  The substantially planar molded panel 30 of FIG. 5, with its attached rod 40, is transformed into an assembled applicator 46 shown in FIG. 7, suitable for use as a mascara brush, by folding the six members 34. downwardly from the hub zone 32 at their respective hinges 25 until the limbs extend substantially parallel to, and closely surround, the rod 40.  An intermediate phase in this folding operation is illustrated in Figure 6.  During this assembly, each member is bent 90 relative to the mold plane about a fold axis, at its associated hinge portion, i.e., parallel to one of the six sides of the the hub area; and each limb ultimately covers and joins one of the six longitudinal faces 48 of the shaft.  In the fully assembled condition of FIG. 7, the outer surfaces of the limbs are turned in a direction opposite to the shaft so that the bristles 42 are oriented substantially radially of the longitudinal axis of the shaft 40; that is, they radiate outwardly from all sides of the applicator 46 around its periphery so as to form a complete brush.  The bristle-free outer end portions 44 of the folded limbs cooperatively constitute a leg portion 50 of the assembled brush, covering and surrounding the lower free end of the shaft.  This leg is inserted into the open distal end 52 of a hollow shaft 54 which is mounted at its proximal end in the cap 56 of a mascara container (not shown).  The shaft 54 serves as a stopper, holding the outer end portions 44 of the folded members together in the assembled condition in which the members of the panel (and their radially outward bristles) surround the shaft axis. .  The relationship between the cap 56 and the applicator 46 is substantially the same as that between the cap of a mascara container and a conventional mascara brush; when the cap is screwed onto the neck of the container, the applicator 46 extends into the interior of the container, and when the cap is removed from the neck, it is manipulated by the user as a handle for application. mascara on the eyelashes of the user with the brush.  As used herein, the terms distal and proximal respectively denote the brush end and the handle end of a mascara brush applicator.  Advantageously, to provide structural stability to the assembled applicator, the members of the panel as well as the rods are made relatively rigid, by a suitable choice of the plastic material employed and the dimensions chosen for the limbs and the stem, while the Hinge parts are made thin enough to allow 90-member folding at the hinges.  It may also be desired to form the bristles of a plastic material different from, and softer than, that of a panel and a shank.  For this purpose, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the members 34A of a panel 30A may be formed in the initial panel molding operation with voids or elongated notches 35 which occupy the same limb regions as the bristles. 42 in the panel 30 of Figure 5 and open in parallel directions relative to each other and to the rod 40A, and substantially perpendicular to the mold plane in which the limbs are initially.  Subsequently, while the limbs are still in a common mold plane, bristles 42A are formed in the notches 35 of all members 34A by an insert molding procedure, for example as inserts. with one or more rows of plastic bristles 42A (FIGS. 9 and 11, 11A, 11B and 11C) or as inserts 45 carrying tufts of fibers 47- (FIGS. 10 and 12) similar to the fibers of a classic mascara brush.  The bristles as molded 42A protrude substantially in a common direction (the traction direction, as defined above) while the limbs continue to be in the mold plane.  After completion of molding, the applicator assembly proceeds as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.  As generally mentioned above, and as shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, the limb-stabilized bristles 42a can deviate from a strict parallelism with each other and with the pulling direction.  Thus, when the bristles are arranged in two parallel rows along one limb, the bristles of one of the rows may diverge from the bristles of the other row, with each bristle oriented at an angle, for example, 23 per ratio 20 to the common tensile direction.  Such diverging bristles are in the average of the term oriented substantially in a common tensile direction provided that they are sufficiently close to the parallelism to allow the molded member to be easily separated from its mold by a relative movement of the mold and the mold. member in the direction of common traction.  A second embodiment of the applicator of the invention is illustrated in Figures 13 to 17.  The applicator comprises a one-piece molded outer plastic panel 60 of generally rectangular configuration as shown in the plan view when substantially in

  the mold plane (the plane of FIG. 13), consisting of a plurality of relatively rigid portions 62 interconnected by relatively flexible hinge portions 64, the relatively rigid portions being parallel to one another when the panel is located in the mold plane, and the hinge portions being disposed between, and parallel to, the relatively rigid portions to foldably interconnect those adjacent to the last portions.  The portions 62, as illustrated, may be formed as outwardly convex cross-sectional ribs.  Each of the relatively rigid portions 62 is molded with an array of holes 66 (shown, for example, as a longitudinal row of holes) opening therethrough in substantially parallel directions (i.e. the traction direction defined above) perpendicular to the mold plane 20 when the panel 60 is in the mold plane.  Thus, the panel can be produced in a generally conventional injection mold and easily separated therefrom.  Each relatively rigid portion 62 has a proximal end 68 and a distal end 70; The rows of holes 66 extend distal ends of the portions 62 for a major part of its length, but terminate somewhat before the proximal ends of the portions 62 so that each portion 62 has a proximal hole-free region 72 .  The applicator of Figures 13 to 17 also includes a second integrally molded plastic panel 74, again substantially in a mold plane when formed and configured.  rectangular, as shown in the plan view in this condition.  The panel 74 has an outer surface on which are integrally molded rows of projections or bristles 76, generally perpendicular to the last mentioned mold plane (i.e., oriented substantially parallel to a common traction direction ) when the panel 74 is in the mold plane, allowing the panel 74 to be molded into a generally conventional injection mold and easily pulled out of the mold.  The bristles 76 are respectively positioned to align with the holes 66 of the outer panel.  The inner panel, in this embodiment, is formed of a softer material than that of the outer panel 60, and the bristles 76 are, for this reason, softer and more flexible than they would be if they were simply molded integrally with the outer panel.  The inwardly facing surface of the outer panel 60 and the outwardly facing surface of the second inner panel or panel 74 are substantially flat when the panels are in the molded condition, substantially in respective mold planes. as shown in Figures 13 to 15, to facilitate the superimposition of the outer panel on the second panel and the insertion of the second panel bristles through the holes of the outer panel 66, as shown in FIG. 15, in the first step of assembling the applicator.  The inwardly facing surface of the second panel 74 is molded to provide a plurality of parallel generally triangular cross-sectional ridges 78 corresponding to the rigid portions 62 of the number and orientation panel 60 when the two panels are juxtaposed as shown in FIG. Figure 15, with the hinge portions 80 integrally formed with and interconnecting adjacent ribs 78.  After the two panels have been initially brought together as illustrated in Figure 15 with the flexible bristles 76 of the inner panel 74 extending outwardly through and beyond the holes 66 of the outer panel 60, the two panels are bent or folded together about a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the rib portions 62 so as to surround the axis and thereby be transformed from the generally planar assembly of Figure 15 into a generally cylindrical applicator 82 16, in which the ribs 62 of the outer panel 60, connected by the hinges 64, constitute a hull or exoskeleton of sufficient rigidity to support the shape of the applicator, surrounding a relatively soft inner core consisting of inner panel 74 folded into a cylinder and filling the inside of the hull.  The bristles 76, oriented substantially parallel to each other when the panels are substantially in their mold planes, radiate outwardly from the applicator around its periphery, projecting through the oriented holes. correspondingly 66, to form a generally cylindrical brush bristle network.  As in the description of other embodiments of the invention, the term relatively rigid portions refers to portions of a molded plastic panel having sufficient rigidity to maintain the applicator as a self-supporting structure when the panel is processed. from an initially generally planar condition to a final condition, for example substantially cylindrical, in which the relatively rigid portions surround an extended longitudinal axis.  The hinge portions interconnecting the relatively rigid portions are made sufficiently flexible to allow the panel to be folded into the generally cylindrical configuration of the final applicator while the relatively rigid portions are not themselves collapsible.  Figure 16 is a cross-section of the assembled applicator 82 taken along the line A-A of Figure 13, through the portion of the outer panel 60 in which the relatively rigid portions 62 have holes 66.  Figure 17 is a similar cross-sectional view of an applicator 82, taken along the line B-B of Figure 13, through the hole-free proximal regions 72 of the portions 62.  The inner panel 74 does not extend proximally to these regions; instead, these latter regions of the relatively rigid portions 62 of the outer panel are formed with generally inward triangular ribs 84.  In the transformed condition of Fig. 17, the regions 72 (which are free of projections or bristles outward, as well as hole-free) cooperatively form the leg of the applicator in which the ribs 84 serve as the core.  As illustrated, the outer diameter of the shaft may be smaller than that of the applicator's hair portion when folded into a cylinder, and the proximal regions 72 of the portions 62 may be spaced rather than connected by hinges 64.  The leg is inserted into a sleeve or hollow shaft of an applicator handle (not shown in Figures 13-17) which may be generally similar in structure and function to that shown in Figure 7 and previously described, retaining the panel 60 in the cylindrical configuration of Figures 16 to 17.  Additional retainer structures (also not shown) may be provided to keep the distal end of the panel 60 in the cylindrical shape.  In the embodiment of Figs. 18 and 20-21, an initially generally rectangular integrally molded outer panel 90 has a plurality of parallel rib portions 92 of convex cross-section outwardly interconnected by generally parallel hinge portions. and relatively flexible 94 between the rib portions.  The panel 90 has a distal end 98 and a proximal end 100; in a first region 101 of the panel, extending from the distal end for more than half of its length, rows of holes 102 are formed in the ribs, but there are no holes in the region remaining 103 of the panel, adjacent to the proximal end 100.  The inward facing surface of the panel 90 is substantially flat in region 101. while in the region 103, the inward facing surface of the panel is formed with ribs 104 of generally triangular cross-section.  The embodiment of Figures 18 and 20 to 21 also includes an initially generally rectangular integrally molded inner panel 106 having an initially flat outer surface carrying an outwardly projecting bristle array 108 respectively positioned for alignment with, and inserting into holes 102 of the outer panel when the outer panel is superimposed on the inner panel in the first assembly step, shown in Figure 18.  The inwardly facing surface 20 of the panel 106 is formed with a plurality of parallel longitudinal ribs 110 of generally triangular cross-section interconnected by parallel hinge portions 112.  Each of the panels 90 and 106, as molded, is substantially in a mold plane, while the holes 102 of the panel 90 open in a common direction (traction direction) perpendicular to the mold plane of the panel 90, and the projections (bristles) 108 of the panel 106 protrude in a common direction perpendicular to the mold plane of the panel 106, allowing the panels to be molded into generally conventional injection molds.  to be easily separable from molds.  The proximal to distal length of the inner panel 106 is equal to the corresponding dimension of the region 101 of the outer panel 90.  In a first assembly step, the panel 106 is in alignment with the region 101 of the panel 90, as shown in FIG. 18, the flat inner surface of the region 101 facing the flat outer surface 10 of the panel 106 and the bristles 108 being arranged for insertion into the holes 102; both panels are then brought together so that the bristles protrude through and out beyond the holes.  Subsequently, the two panels are folded or bent together about a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the ribs 92, transforming the initially generally planar panel array with its parallel holes and bristles into a generally cylindrical applicator, having the last axis 20 mentioned as its geometric axis, wherein the bristles radiate outwardly at locations distributed around the periphery of the cylinder.  The region 103 of the panel 90 constitutes the leg of the applicator and (as in the case of the applicator of FIGS. 13 to 17) can be received in a shaft or sleeve of an applicator handle or container cap. mascara (not shown in Figures 18 to 21) to retain the panels in the cylindrical configuration.  Again, the outer diameter of the shaft may be less than that of the applicator bristle portion when folded into a cylinder, and the proximal leg-forming regions of the ribs may be spaced rather than articulated together.  In contrast to the bristles 76 of the embodiment of Figure 13, which are integrally molded with the panel 74 (as illustrated, for comparison purposes, in Figure 19), the bristles 108 in the embodiment of Figure 18 are tufts of brush fibers 114 (Figure 20) inserted through adjacent holes 116 formed in panel 106.  Figure 21, a partial view of a portion of the inner surface of the panel 106, illustrates the provision of these holes 116 in recessed portions 118 of the ribs of the inner panel 110.  The provision of such tufts in applicators of the invention will be further described below.  The unitary integrally molded plastic panel of the applicator of the invention may alternatively be made sufficiently flexible in the assembly so as to be foldable into a cylinder with a substantially continuous uniform surface curvature.  Such an applicator is shown in Figures 22 to 25, in which the panel 120 is a soft, generally rectangular, flexible member having a multiplicity of soft bristles 122 formed on its outer surface and, in the condition as molded, oriented in a common traction direction perpendicular to the mold plane in which the panel is initially (Figures 23 and 24).  The proximal to distal lateral edges 124 and 126 of the panel are formed as longitudinally extending L-shaped flanges 36 and 130 initially opening toward each other across the inner surface of the panel.  To assemble the applicator of Figures 22 to 25, the panel is rolled or folded about a longitudinal axis to form a cylinder 127 (Figures 22 and 25) with the bristles protruding radially outwardly to locations spaced around the periphery of the cylinder and the flanges 128 and 130 abutting each other to form a longitudinal T-shaped ridge 132 enclosed within the cylinder.  A rigid, generally cylindrical, molded plastic core 134 having a T-shaped notch 136 opening through and extending longitudinally from its distal end 138 is sized to be inserted longitudinally into the cylinder. 127 and to receive the peak 132 within the notch 136, thereby serving as internal support for the applicator and retaining the panel in the cylindrical configuration.  The notch 136 terminates at a distance from the proximal end of the core 134, providing a leg portion 140 of the core for mounting in the shaft or sleeve of an applicator handle / mascara container cap. (not shown)  A modified structure of this type is shown in FIGS. 26 to 29, in which the soft, molded, flexible, molded plastic panel 142 in the plane has the cross-sectional shape of a Z at a right angle Z (FIG. ).  The upper and lower limbs of the Z, as molded, are flat portions respectively designated 144 and 146, lying in parallel horizontal planes and connected by a vertical central septum 148 (the vertical and horizontal terms being used only by convenience to designate relative orientations).  A first network of soft molded plastic bristles 150 is formed on, and protrudes vertically upwardly from, the top surface of the panel portion 144, while a second network of soft molded plastic bristles 152 is formed on, and protrudes vertically downwardly from, the bottom surface of the panel portion 146.  In addition, a first flat vertical longitudinal edge.  154 protrudes downwardly from the outer side edge of the panel portion 144 and a second flat vertical longitudinal flange 156 projects upwardly from the outer side edge of the panel portion 146.  Considering the mold plane of this panel 20 as the two parallel planes of the panel portions 144 and 146, and the direction of traction as the direction perpendicular to these planes, it will be seen that in the condition as molded of 27, both panel portions 144 and 146 are substantially in the mold plane, while all other panel members (septum 148, bristles 150 and 152, and ledges 154 and 156) are oriented in the direction of traction.  Accordingly, like the panels of the other embodiments of the invention described herein, the panel 127 may be easily produced in a generally conventional injection mold and easily separated therefrom.  To assemble an applicator using the panel 127, the two panel portions 144 and 146 are folded or rolled 180 in opposite directions about an extended longitudinal axis (coincident, in this case, with the long geometric axis septum 148) so that the bristles 150, 152 project outwardly and the flanges 154 and 156, both inverted from their original orientations, are respectively flush against the sides. opposite of the septum 148.  The panel is thereby converted into a cylinder 158 with outwardly radiating bristles distributed around its periphery and a central inner longitudinal wall 160.  A rigid plastic core 162, having a cylindrical leg portion 164 at its proximal end and a pair of parallel tips 166 projecting distally therefrom, serves as an internal support for the barrel 158.  The two core tips, inserted longitudinally into the proximal end of the cylinder through the openings between the cylinder and the wall 160, protrude beyond the distal end of the cylinder; the outer surfaces of the distal ends of the tips, as indicated at 168, are profiled with an annular groove and taper to provide a snap-fit seat for a plastic cap 170 having an internal annular crest 172 capable of engaging with the groove 168.  After the core tips have been inserted fully through the barrel 158, the cap 170 is snap fit onto the tip ends, cooperating with them to retain the panel 142 in the cylindrical shape by holding the tips in place. gripping relationship with wall 160 and thereby securing flanges 154 and 156 against septum 148.  Figures 30 and 31 illustrate another modified embodiment of the invention, in which an integrally molded plastic panel 174 made of soft plastic and of rectangular shape as molded (i.e. when substantially in a mold plane), on its outer surface a multiplicity of molded plastic bristles 176 oriented in a common traction direction perpendicular to the mold plane, is provided with a pair of longitudinal stiffeners. 178 respectively attached to and extending along its opposite side edges, in opposite relation to the surface bearing bristles of the panel.  These stiffeners are molded in a relatively rigid plastic and are generally of hemispherical cross-section, with the flat faces 180 facing outward (Figure 30) in the condition as molded from the panel.  The stiffeners may be an insert molded on the panel or attached thereto by assembly.  Each of the stiffeners extends to the distal end 182 of the panel, and also includes a leg portion 184 projecting beyond the proximal end 186 of the panel.  To assemble the applicator, the panel 174 is folded or rolled about a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the stiffeners 178, until the flat surfaces of the stiffeners abut one another, at which point the panel is of cylindrical configuration and the bristles 176 radiate outwardly from them and are distributed around the periphery of the cylinder (Figure 31).  The leg portions 184 cooperatively constitute a leg that is inserted into a shaft or sleeve of an applicator handle (not shown) to hold the proximal ends of the stiffeners together, while a rigid plastic fastener 186 is inserted into the distal end of the applicator for holding the distal ends of the barrel together so that the panel is held in a cylindrical shape.  Yet another configuration for the integrally molded plastic panel of the invention is a narrow, elongated flexible web of soft material which, as molded, is substantially in a mold plane with a surface bearing molded protrusions. or bristles extending therefrom substantially in a direction of common traction transverse to the plane.  In the assembly, the strip is spirally wound about a longitudinal axis in extension with the surface bearing the outwardly facing projections to form a conical, frustoconical, or cylindrical applicator.  A specific embodiment comprising such a strip of soft flexible material is shown in FIGS. 32 and 33.  The strip 200 in this embodiment comprises two parts, respectively designated 202 and 204, which, as molded, extend substantially in parallel but offset planes (mold plane) and are disposed substantially end to end with their ends. adjacent connected by a rod 206 extending perpendicular to the parallel planes.  The portion 202 has a plurality of bristles 208 formed on a surface thereof turned away from the portion 204, and the portion 204 has a multiplicity of bristles 210 formed on a surface thereof turned in turn. away from part 202; the bristles 208 and 210, as well as the shaft 206, are oriented substantially in a common traction direction perpendicular to the planes parallel to the bristles on the two strip portions respectively pointing in opposite directions when the panel is in the condition as molded of Figure 32.  A generally cylindrical core 212 of rigid molded plastic, comprising a proximal or leg portion 214 and an extensional distal portion 216, serves as a structural support for the applicator made from the web 200.  The distal end of the portion 216 is formed as a tie 218 for receiving and gripping the rod 206 at the midpoint of the web 200.  With the rod inserted in and held by the fastener, the core is twisted about its long axis 220 as shown at 222 in Figure 33 so as to cause the two band portions 200 to wind in at least one direction. spiral around the core portion 216, thereby transforming the initially planar web 2905243 into an applicator in which the web is folded to surround the extended longitudinal core axis 220 in a generally cylindrical configuration, with turns of two band portions 202 and 204 alternating and with the bristles on one and the other band portions radiating outwardly from the axis of the core 220.  The leg portion 214 of the core may be mounted in an applicator handle, for example of the general type shown in Figure 7, described above, with the outer ends of the two appropriately anchored web portions 202 and 204.  Figures 34 to 36 illustrate a modified embodiment of the invention in which the panel is again a strip 224 of soft, soft plastic material lying substantially in a mold plane in a condition as molded and bearing on a surface a multiplicity of flexible soft plastic bristles 226 molded integrally with the band.  The bristles 226, in the molded condition of the band, are oriented substantially in a direction of transverse (perpendicular) traction to the mold plane (Figure 35).  The band 224 differs from the band 200 of Figures 32 to 33, however, in that it is a simple part of a continuous band adapted to be attached to an end 228 at the distal end of a core and wound up spiral as a single strand around the nucleus.  This embodiment may utilize the core 212 described above with reference to Figures 32 and 33, with the fastener 218 modified to grip and retain the end 228 of the web 224.  As illustrated in FIGS. 35 and 36, with the web end inserted into and held by the fastener, the core is twisted about its long axis 220 so as to cause the web 224 to spiral around the core portion 216, transforming the initially planar web into an applicator in which the web is folded to surround the extended longitudinal core axis 220 in a generally cylindrical configuration with the bristles 226 radiating outwardly from the core axis 220.  The leg portion 214 of the core may be mounted in an applicator handle (not shown) as previously described, with the outer end of the appropriately anchored web 224.  Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 37, the core supporting the band may be a wire 230 attached at its distal end to the end 228 of the band.  The web is then spirally wound around the core wire to form an applicator with outwardly radiating bristles 226, and the wire is mounted in an applicator handle (not shown).  A wide variety of hair schedules 25 on the surface of the web 200 or 224 may be employed, instead of a single row of bristles of Figures 32-37.  Two non-limiting examples are illustrated in FIGS. 38 and 39, which respectively show several rows of bristles 208a, 208b and 208c of different heights on a strip portion 202, and a double row of staggered bristles 226a on each other. band 224.  Yet another embodiment of the applicator of the invention wherein the panel is a narrow bristle band is shown in Figures 40-48.  The strip 232 in this embodiment is molded around a reinforcing wire 234 of metal (FIG. 43) which extends longitudinally within, and is fully surrounded laterally by, the strip.  A plurality of bristles 236, integrally molded with the band, are disposed along the length of the band, projecting from a surface thereof.  The tape may be made of a soft, soft plastic material, using a generally conventional injection mold in which the wire 234 is positioned before the plastic material is introduced; in the condition as molded, the band 232 is substantially in a mold plane and the bristles 236 are oriented substantially in a direction of transverse (perpendicular) transverse traction thereto.  To transform the wire-reinforced tape into an applicator, the tape is initially held at its midpoint 238 (Figures 40 and 41), which becomes the end of the applicator, and the two tabs 240 and 242 of the tape are then twisted around each other in the same manner as the wire core tabs of a conventional twisted wire mascara brush are twisted, so that the band is folded to surround the extended longitudinal axis torsion 2905243 with the bristles radiating outwardly from this axis.  The reinforcement yarn 234 within the web is chosen to be rigid enough to maintain the twisted shape.  The proximal ends of the legs, twisted together, can then be mounted in an applicator handle (not shown).  The steps in making an exemplary mascara brush specific to the embodiment of Figures 40-43 are schematically illustrated (not all at the same scale) in Figures 44-48.  Figure 44 shows the band as molded 232, being substantially in a mold plane, with the wire 234 extending longitudinally therethrough and the bristles protruding from the web substantially in a direction of common traction transverse to the plane of mold.  In this example, the strip is molded in two tandem portions 232a and 232b spaced at the midpoint 238 of the yarn.  Part 232a carries a set of uniform long molded bristles 236a substantially perpendicular to the mold plane, while part 232b carries two rows of shorter uniform molded bristles 236b inclined at small angles to the perpendicular and relative to each other. to others, thereby forming a V.  Although the bristles 232b are thus inclined in the traction direction, they are nevertheless substantially oriented in the traction direction because the inclination angle is sufficiently small so as not to interfere with the separation of the mold plates and Removing the molded panel (strip) from the mold.  Figure 45 is a full scale side view of the belt and wire of Figure 44, still in the condition as molded.  It will be noted that the band portions 232a and 232b terminate before the proximal ends 244 of the wire.  The yarn 234 is folded at its midpoint 238 to 180 as illustrated in Figure 46, so that the two tabs 240 and.  242, respectively having strip portions 232a and 232b, extend parallel to each other with the bristles 236a and 236b protruding in opposite directions.  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 47, the yarn is twisted about a longitudinal axis into an increasingly tight spiral, and the bristles are correspondingly distributed in a helical pattern, in which alternate turns are made of bristles 236a and bristles 236b.  The final applicator 246, shown in Figure 48, includes a proximal twisted wire leg portion 248 mountable in an applicator handle 20 (not shown) and a brush portion 250 in which the bristles 236a and 236b, in alternate helical patterns, radiate outward.  Fig. 48A is a flowchart of the method of converting a molded panel (I) of the type of Fig. 45 through successive phases of folding (II) and twisting (III) until a final applicator (IV) is obtained, with the folding direction indicated by the arrow B and the direction of torsion indicated by the arrow T.  In Fig. 48A, the band portions 232c and 232d with bristles 236c and 236d correspond to the band portions 232a and 232b with bristles 236a, 290a, and 236b of Fig. 45; the yarn 234a with the midpoint 238a, the tabs 240a and 242a and the ends 244a, corresponds to the yarn 234 with the midpoint 238, the tabs 240 and 242 and the ends 244 of Figure 45; and the leg and brush portions 248a and 250a correspond to portions 248 and 250 of Figure 45, with some dimensional changes.  A modification of this applicator is illustrated, in the successive folding phases, in FIGS. 49 and 50, which respectively correspond to the folding phases shown in FIGS. 46 and 48.  In the modified applicator, the bristles 236a 'are not uniform in length, but gradually become shorter from about the midpoint of the bristle network to the distal end of the brush, and the bristles 236b Also, they are not of uniform length, but first become progressively shorter, then progressively longer, and finally progressively shorter again, proceeding towards the distal end of the brush.  Therefore, when the wire leg portion 248 'is completely twisted, the hair end shell or profile is as illustrated in Figure 50.  The bristles may be molded with these different lengths, or they may be molded with uniform lengths as shown in Figure 44, and then cut or cut before or after the web is folded.  Another applicator embodying the invention and employing a band 232 as illustrated in Figure 40 is.  shown in Figure 51.  In this embodiment, the wire-containing strip is wound in a single spring-elastic spiral 252, with its bristles 236 (not individually shown in Figure 51) protruding radially outwardly by relative to the axis of the spiral; a metal leg 254, attached at its distal end to the distal end 256 of the spiral 252, coaxially extends through the spiral toward the proximal end 258 of the spiral.  The applicator of Fig. 51 also includes an actuator 262 having a rigid, hollow, open-ended outer shank 264 and a rigid inner shank 266 extending entirely through the hollow outer shank, coaxially therewith, so as to be movable, relative to the outer rod, linearly along and pivotable about their common axis, which is coincident with the axis of the spiral.  The proximal end 258 of the spiral is fixedly mounted on the distal end of the outer shaft, while the leg 254 is attached at its proximal end to the distal end of the inner shaft.  Attached to, or integrally formed with, the proximal end of the outer shaft is an enlarged well 268 in which the inner shaft 266 projects; an enlarged head 270 attached to the proximal end of the inner shaft is received within the well, and is manually movable along, and rotatable about, the common axis of the inner and outer stems relative to the well.  In this device, a manual rotation (arrow 272) of the head 270 relative to the well is communicated to the distal end of the spiral 252 by the inner shaft and the leg, and since the proximal end of the shaft 270 and the spiral is secured to the outer rod, such a rotation varies the pitch and the outer diameter of the spiral.  A manual movement (arrow 274) of the head to and from the well relative to the shaft along the axis of the shaft, acting on the distal end of the spiral via the inner shaft and the leg, is so that the spiral contracts or elongates axially, varying the pitch between the helicoidal turns of the pile network.  Various other modifications of the applicator of Figs. 34 to 36 are illustrated in Figs. 52 to 59F.  The applicator in each of these modified embodiments comprises a rigid plastic core (corresponding to the core 212 of Figure 34, and having a leg portion and a distal portion respectively corresponding to the portions 214 and 216 of the core 212, position and function) formed at its distal end with a clip (corresponding to the clip 218 of Fig. 34), and a strip of soft soft plastic material (corresponding to the strip 224 of Fig. 34) lying substantially in a mold plane in the condition as molded and carrying on a surface a multiplicity of soft soft plastic bristles (corresponding to the bristles 226 in Fig. 34) molded integrally with the web.  These elements are arranged so that the clip grasps and fixes the midpoint of the band (rather than the end of the band, as in Figure 34) and the parts of the band on one or the other. other side of the midpoint are radially wrapped around the distal portion of the core to form an applicator in which the bristles extend radially outwardly relative to the core.  In the applicator shown in Figs. 52 to 54, the core 212a is formed with a distal distal portion 216a rather than a straight axial distal portion as in Fig. 32.  The clip 218a engages the midpoint of the strip 224a (Fig. 53), which is otherwise similar to the strip of Fig. 32, and the portions of the strip 224a extending from there are spirally wound around the distal portion 216a with the bristles 226a protruding outwardly therefrom (Figure 54).  As illustrated in FIGS. 52A, 53A and 54A, the core 212a may be replaced by a core of wire 230a (such as core 230 of FIG. 37) which is malleable, the term malleable being used herein to refer to a metal article. which is likely to be bent and / or twisted and maintain a shape in which it is thus bent and / or twisted.  The band 224a, fixed at its midpoint with respect to the distal end of the core 230a (Figure 52A), is spirally wound around the core (Figure 53A) in the same manner as in Figures 52-54, and the core 25 is folded (Figure 54A) into a desired shape, for example, a curved shape corresponding to the core curve in Figures 52-54.  Figs. 55-57C show an alternative form of web 224b having successive portions 30 with different profiles and / or arrangments of bristles arranged in tandem along its length.  In a first portion 276, shown in section in Figure 56A and in plan view in Figure 57A, the strip itself is formed with an outward facing channel 278 and a single row of bristles 280 of rectangular cross section protrudes outward from there.  The second portion 282 of the strip (Figs. 56B and 57B) has an outward crown profile carrying two longitudinal rows of bristles 284 of round or elliptical cross section, with the bristles of a row diverging outwardly at from the hairs of the other row.  The third portion 286 of the strip, illustrated in FIGS. 56C and 57C, is divided by a longitudinal notch 288 into two parallel tabs 290 each carrying a single row of bristles 292 of triangular cross-section, the bristles on one and the other. other legs extending parallel to each other.  These different band portions are non-limiting examples of possible variants of the general type band shown at 224 in Figure 34.  They illustrate variations in profile and band width, and hair shape; The distribution and size of the bristles may also vary, to achieve the desired cosmetic and / or application characteristics to the product applicator.  These and / or other different hair configurations and schedules may be combined, as illustrated, in a single band for use in an applicator, or a band may be provided with any of the configurations and schedules such as of its entire length.  Similarly, as exemplified by the applicator shown in Figures 58 to 59F, the rigid core does not need to be of uniform circular cross-section.  The core 212b has a distal portion 216b with a first circular cross section (Figure 59D) near the fastener 218b, a second smaller circular cross section (Figure 59F) near the leg portion 214b, and an intermediate portion of small square cross-section (Figure 59E).  As a further alternative, the intermediate cross-section may be triangular (not shown) rather than square.  Again, the illustrated variations of core profile are only illustrative of the possible variations, and the distal portion of the core may either vary point-to-point along its length as illustrated, or may have a uniform non-circular cross-section on all.  Figure 59 further shows the variable profile core 212b as associated with a band 224c which varies in width, profile shape and arrangement of the bristles 226c along its length, in ways generally similar to the band 224b of the Figures. 55 to 57C.  Such variations are illustrated in the cross section in FIGS. 59A, 59B and 59C.  Alternatively, core 212c could be used with a web, for example, of the type shown at 224a in Figures 52-54, which is uniform throughout its length.  In the embodiments of the invention thus described so far, in which a panel in

  The plastics material is molded with integral elements such as openings or projections, the molded panel is in a mold plane and the elements are oriented substantially in a direction of common traction perpendicular to the plane of the mold. mold, thereby facilitating the opening of the mold and the separation of the molded panel thereof, as explained above. In the broader scope of the invention, however, it is possible to obtain the same advantages when the elements, or some of the elements, are oriented projections (i.e., extending from one edge of the panel) in the mold plane. In such a case, the mold cavity defined by the facing mold plates comprises portions, to form the last projections, defined by cooperating recesses in each of the mold plates, so that there is no of interference between these projections and the mold plates when the mold plates separate.

An example of such a molded plastic panel, shown at 296 in Figures 60 and 61, is similar to the panel 232 of Figure 40 in that it is molded around an elongated malleable metal insert 298. The body of the plastic panel 300 completely laterally surrounds the insert 298, and is shown to be of rectangular cross-section with the first and second opposed panel surfaces 302, 304 and the first and second opposite side edges 306, 308 between them. surfaces. Plastic protruding members 310, 314 respectively extend from opposite panel surfaces in directions substantially perpendicular to them, while additional plastic projections 316, 318 respectively extend respectively from the opposing panel surfaces in directions substantially perpendicular thereto, while additional plastic projections 316, 318 extend respectively. from the opposite panel edges 5 in directions perpendicular to the projections 310, 314. The panel 296, which (like the panel 232 of Figure 40) has the shape of a narrow band, can be formed by molding between plates of mold as schematically illustrated in Fig. 1 and previously described with reference thereto, the insert being placed in the mold cavity prior to the molding operation. The mold plane is indicated by the line PL-PL in Fig. 61. As will be understood, the recesses for forming the protrusions 310 and 314 are respectively provided in the upper and lower mold plates and extend substantially perpendicular to the mold plane, while the lateral projections 316 and 318, lying in the mold plane 20, are each defined by two cooperating recesses provided respectively in the two faces of the mold plate and extending in the mold plane. Thus, when the plates separate in the common tensile direction D (Figure 1), the opening of the mold and the removal of the molded panel 296 is not prevented by interference between any of the formed projections and the plates. Panel 296, which is shown in Figure 60 as folded into a U-shaped configuration, may be further bent and / or twisted to be transformed into 2905243 cosmetic applicators having a variety of configurations. Examples of such applicators are shown in Figures 62 to 66. In the applicator 320 of Figure 62, the panel 5 is folded into a U-shape similar to that of Figure 60 but a U-tab has several other folds. 322 communicated to him. The metal insert 298 has two exposed ends extending respectively beyond the ends of the plastic panel; these exposed ends are placed side by side and twisted together to form a leg 324 to retain the panel in the form in which it was bent and to mount the applicator in a handle.

Figure 63 illustrates an applicator 326 in which the panel is again U-folded, with a tab 328 repeatedly twisted along its axis and the other tab 330 folded in the form of an open spiral. Again, the metal insert exposed opposite ends which are twisted together to form a leg 332, for the same purpose as the leg 324 of the previously described applicator 320. In the applicator 334 of Fig. 64, the web 296 is first U-shaped, and a tab 336 of the U is then tied to the other tab 338 by folding to form a loop. The exposed ends of the metal insert are bent together to form a leg 340. The applicator 342 of Figs. 65 and 66 has a succession of interlocking folds 344 communicated to the legs of a U in which the band is formed. is initially folded, and once again the exposed ends of the metal insert are twisted together to form a leg 346. Figures 67 and 68 illustrate a modified molded plastic panel 296a similar to, but wider than the , panel 296 of Figures 60-61, having an elongated malleable metal insert 298a (also similar to, but wider than, insert 298 of Figures 60 and 61) completely laterally surrounded by the molded plastic panel body 300a. This panel 296a carries four rows of projections 310a extending from its upper surface 302a and four rows of projections 314a extending from its lower surface 304a rather than the single rows of projections 310 and 314 in panel 296, although Lateral edge protrusions 316a and 318a (initially located in the mold plane) are always single rows to allow separation of the mold plates in the common tensile direction. As illustrated, different rows of projections 310a and 314a may be somewhat divergent, but are always oriented substantially in the direction of common traction as long as their divergence angles are sufficiently small, and the protrusions are sufficiently flexible, to allow easy separation of the mold plates and removal of the mold panel at the end of the molding operation. After molding, the panel is collapsible (as indicated at 348 in Fig. 68) and can be twisted (as indicated by the twist 350 and the reverse twist 352 in Fig. 68) so that it can be turned into a plastic. An applicator of any of a variety of configurations, with the relative orientation of at least some of the projections modified by twisting and folding. The projections are illustrated as bristles, but other forms of molded elements may be provided. Figs. 69 and 70 illustrate another modified molded panel 296b, of configuration and dimensions generally similar to the panel 296a of Figs. 67-106 but different therefrom in that the single wide metal insert 298a is replaced by a plurality of elongated metal inserts in the form of parallel wires 298b (two being shown in the drawings). Again, the opposing surfaces 302b and 304b respectively carry a plurality of rows of projections 310b and 314b oriented substantially in a common traction direction, while the edges carry simple rows of projections 316b and 318b that are initially in the mold plane. Like the panel 296a, the panel 296b can be folded (as shown at 354 in Fig. 70) and can be twisted (as indicated by the twist 356 and the reverse twist 358 in Fig. 70) so that it can be transformed into an applicator of any of a variety of configurations, with the relative orientation of at least some of the projections modified by twisting and folding. Once again, the projections are illustrated as bristles, but other shapes of molded elements may be provided.

Figures 71 to 83 show alternative embodiments of the applicator of the invention which, as the embodiments of Figures 60 to 70, are produced from plastic panels molded around metal inserts. malleable elongated and having projections in the mold plane as well as protrusions oriented substantially in a common tensile direction. In these embodiments, however, the metal insert is bent to form a laterally and longitudinally extending support before the plastic is molded, so that the molded panel does not have the configuration of a web. (as in Figures 60-70) but, at least in portions, to a substantial width, being converted into an applicator by a folding operation (e.g., a folding operation) after the molding step . A first such applicator, shown in Figures 71 to 75C, has a panel formed around an elongated malleable metal insert 360, which may be similar to the insert 298 of Figures 60 to 61, but is initially folded into a double loop planar configuration, forming an extension support 362 as shown in Figure 71, with both ends of the insert remaining untwisted. This insert is then placed in a mold cavity and plastic is molded around it to produce the plastic panel bearing projections 366 of Figure 72, wherein the projections 368 extending from one surface of the panel are oriented. substantially in a common tensile direction, and the protrusions 370 extending from the edges of the panel are initially in the mold plane indicated by the line PL-PL in FIGS. 73A, 73B and 73C. As shown in Figures 72 and 73A-73C, the mold cavity is contoured so that the molded plastic completely surrounds the insert 360 in the distal loop 372, but leaves a central opening in the panel while encircling the loop proximal 374 to provide a large portion of the panel, and also encircling the gap between spaced parallel portions 376 of the insert between the loops. Finally, the panel is folded (folded) about a longitudinal center line 378 (FIGS. 74-75C), and the exposed wire is twisted to form the leg, thereby being transformed into an applicator 380 in which the orientations Many of the projections are changed relative to the state as molded. In the applicator 382 of Figs. 76-79, an elongated malleable metal insert 384 is folded to form a single elongated planar loop with parallel sides, with the ends of the insert 20 twisted together to provide a leg 386, before molding. The folded insert is placed in a mold cavity, and a generally planar plastic panel 388 is molded around it, encircling the entire loop and bearing the projections 392 oriented substantially in a common traction direction, as well as the projections 394 in the PL-PL mold plane (Figure 77). The molded panel is folded about a longitudinal center line to form a generally curved cross-section applicator as shown in Figure 79.

The panel 396 of the applicator 398 of Figures 80-83 is molded with a Z-shaped cross section at a right angle similar to that of the panel 142 of Figure 27. The elongated malleable metal insert 400 in this embodiment is formed, before molding the panel, into a single straight-sided planar loop corresponding to that of the panel previously described, shown in Fig. 76, and placed in a mold cavity where the Z-shaped cross section plastic panel 10 is formed is formed, encircling the loop and carrying both the projections 402 oriented substantially in a common traction direction and the projections 404 in the PL-PL mold plane (Figure 81). The panel is then folded about a longitudinal centerline into the final applicator configuration of Figures 82-83. Figures 84-91 illustrate another applicator 406, also illustrating the invention. Like the applicators of FIGS. 76-79 and 80-83, this applicator comprises an elongate malleable metal insert 408 which is first folded into a single elongated planar and straight-sided loop and then placed in a mold cavity where a panel plastic 412 is formed, encircling the loop. Then, its ends are twisted together to form a leg 410. The panel 412 differs from those of the embodiments just described, however, in that the molded members are not projections but openings. oriented in a common tensile direction (the orientation of an aperture being that of the axis between its open ends) and elongated transversely so as to divide the portion encircling the panel loop into a multiplicity of parallel bars. spaced 416 encircling the loop from one side to the other thereof.

After molding, the looped insert of the panel and the panel 412 are first folded (folded) along a longitudinal center line 418 (FIGS. 85-88) with the folding effect of the bars 416 at their midpoints. in parallel projections. A final downward fold at the distal end 420 of the loop completes the transformation of the panel 414 into the comb-type applicator shown in FIGS. 89 to 91. Yet another applicator 422, shown in FIGS. and 93, has an elongated malleable metal insert 424 folded to form a planar U with two embodiments of the insert constituting each leg of the U, and the ends of the insert twisted to form a leg 426. This insert is placed in a mold cavity where a plastic layer 428 is molded around each embodiment of the insert without encircling any gaps between the embodiments, and a flocking 430 is applied to the molded plastic. Alternatively, as Fig. 94 shows, the flocking 430 'can be applied and adhered directly to the surfaces of the insert 424, omitting the molding step and the plastic layer. The flocking in these applicators serves as an alternative to such elements as protrusions or molded openings in a plastic panel.

As previously mentioned, another variation of molding plastic projections or bristles integrally with the panels is the attachment of tufted bristles to the panels. Examples of hair attachment procedures are illustrated in Figures 95 to 103. In Figures 95-97, 34 'designates a member of a panel of the general type shown in Figures 5 to 7, but molded without projections . To provide a row of tufts of bristles along this limb, a plurality of parallel elongated strands 432 of bristle fibers such as nylon fibers are disposed below member 34 ', extending parallel thereto. A needle 434 with a hook end 436 is passed through the limb from the opposite side of the fiber strands so that the hook end engages the strands (Figure 95). The needle is then withdrawn through the limb, bringing a loop 438 of the fiber strands with it. When the loop 438 reaches a sufficient height above the limb, the hook is disengaged and moved along the limb to the intended location of another fiber loop. These steps are repeated until a desired number of spaced loops 438 have been provided along the limb (Figure 96). Finally, the vertices of the loops are trimmed (Figure 97), leaving a network of tufts 440 of bristles projecting upwards from the limb. The procedures shown respectively in Figures 98 to 100 and 101 to 103 are illustrated as used with an applicator of the type shown previously in Figures 18 and 20 to 21, but may be adapted to many embodiments of the invention. invention. Thus, in Fig. 98, one of the ribs 110 of the inner panel 106 of the applicator of Figs. 18 and 20-21 is shown with a set of generally parallel elongated strands 442 of nylon or other pile fiber arranged along the length of and above, from the top of the rib. As in the procedure of Figs. 95-97, a hook needle 444 is passed up through the rib of the panel to engage the fiber strands (Fig. 98) and pull a loop 446 from the strands downward. through the rib until the buckle protrudes from the flat bottom surface 106a of the panel 106. These steps are repeated along the length of the rib, and then along the length of each other rib of the panel 106, to provide a loop network 446 (Figure 99) projecting from the panel surface 106a; the ends of the loops 20 are then cut (Figure 100), leaving a network of tufts of fibers. In the procedure variant of FIGS. 101 to 103, a set of elongate parallel strands of bristle fibers 448 are disposed beneath the flat bottom surface 106a of the panel 106, parallel to one of the ribs 110, and is held in place by a succession of spaced supports 452 spaced below the panel surface 106a. A hook needle 454 is inserted down through the last rib 110 to engage the strands and pull them up through the rib, forming a loop 456 above the rib; loop 456 may optionally be twisted during formation, as shown at 457 in Figure 101. As these steps are repeated along the rib, a retaining strand 458 is threaded through successively formed loops 456, which, if initially twisted, may optionally be unreeled after the retaining strand passes through them, as shown at 459 in Figure 102. Finally, the fibers are cut at a location 460 below the panel surface 106a (Figure 102), leaving a network of fiber tufts 462 protruding through this surface (Figure 103). In each of the preceding procedures, if the panel 106 is formed with holes 116 (Figure 21) during the molding operation, the needle 444 or 454 is simply passed forwards and backwards through each of these holes in succession, establishing a tuft of fibers at the location of each hole. If there are no such holes, the needle is designed to pierce the panel 106 when it is initially inserted through each tufting location. The invention further contemplates the provision of applicators having protrusions (bristles) having any of a variety of different cross-sections. As an exemplary, but not limiting, alternative to conventional cylindrical cross section molded bristles, the bristles 30 may be of elliptical cross-section and oriented with their long axes in section at any desired angle from 0 to 90 relative to each other. to the wiping direction, i.e., the direction in which the applicator is removed from a mascara container while engaged by a wiper (to remove excess mascara) in the neck of the container. An illustrative embodiment of an applicator of the invention incorporating elliptical cross-sectional bristles is illustrated in Figure 104. In this applicator, which is of the general type shown in Figures 5 to 7 above, the bristles are 464 are, as mentioned, of elliptical cross-section, and are oriented with the long axes of their elliptical cross section at 90 of the long axis of the applicator, which is parallel to the wiping direction represented by the arrow 466 Thus, they are relatively flexible in the direction in which they pass through the wiping orifice, facilitating the wiping operation. When the applicator, loaded with mascara, is brought to the eyelashes of a user, however, the direction of application (arrow 468) is perpendicular to the wiping direction. The long axis of the cross section of the hair is parallel to this direction of application, so that (as desired to apply mascara and comb through the lashes) the bristles are stiffer as they pass through the lashes. only when they pass through the wiping system. In Figure 104, each member 34 "of the applicator panel carries two parallel rows of bristles, but the rows of bristles on an adjacent limb are alternate or staggered, while Figure 105 illustrates another, otherwise similar, applicator. wherein the rows of elliptical cross section hairs 464 'on the adjacent members 34 "' are aligned with each other. Figure 106 schematically illustrates the bristles 464 'of the applicator of Figure 105 passing through a user's eyelashes to apply mascara. Figure 107 shows a strip profile panel 470 of the same general type as that of Figure 40, but with molded (bristle) projections 472 having elliptical cross sections. When this panel is twisted so as to form a spiral and thereby constitute an applicator 474 as illustrated in FIG. 108, the bristles 472 are oriented so that the long axes of their elliptical cross sections are at 90 °. the wiping direction (arrow 476), with the same effects as in the case of the applicator of Figs. 104 and 105. More generally, bristles with non-circular (e.g., elliptical) cross-sections may be provided on applicators such as mascara brushes in general, to improve wipe performance, application, combing and / or other functions thereof. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the features and embodiments specifically set forth above, but may be performed in other ways without departing from its spirit.

Claims (28)

  A molded plastic applicator for cosmetics or the like, comprising: (a) an integrally molded plastic panel substantially in a mold plane when formed and folded out of the mold plane to surround a mold longitudinal axis in extension; and (b) a plurality of members formed in or on the panel, oriented substantially in a direction of common traction transverse to the mold plane when the panel is in the mold plane and oriented substantially radially to the longitudinal axis in directions distributed about the axis when the panel is folded to surround the axis, said elements being projections or openings or mixtures thereof.   An applicator as defined in claim 1, further comprising a retainer holding the panel folded out of the plane in a relationship surrounding the axis.   The applicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a plurality of relatively rigid portions interconnected by relatively flexible hinge portions to permit folding of the panel out of the mold plane to surround the longitudinal axis without substantial deformation. relatively rigid parts.   The applicator as defined in claim 3, wherein the panel further comprises a hub area in alignment with the longitudinal axis, which is transverse to the mold plane, the relatively rigid portions comprise a plurality of members. extending radially from the hub area when the panel is substantially in the mold plane, each member having a free end and a second end; and the hinge portions respectively connect the second ends of the limbs to the hub area of the panel so that the members can be folded relative thereto so as to be parallel to and surround the axis.   An applicator as defined in claim 4, wherein the limbs have respectively turned surfaces away from the axis as the members surround the axis, and said members are projections formed on and extending to from said surfaces of said members.   The applicator as defined in claim 4, wherein said members are openings formed in and extending along the respective members, and further comprising a plurality of projections formed in said openings by insert molding such to extend away from said axis.   The applicator as defined in claim 4, further comprising an elongate rod integrally molded with and extending along said axis from said hub area of said panel substantially in said traction direction so that that the limbs when folded surround the stem.   An applicator as defined in claim 7, further comprising a retainer which engages the free ends of the limbs to maintain them in surrounding relation to the stem.   An applicator as defined in claim 3, wherein said relatively rigid portions are parallel to each other and to said axis when the panel is substantially in the mold plane, and wherein the hinge portions are disposed between them. and parallel to the relatively rigid portions to foldably interconnect adjacent ones of the relatively rigid portions.   The applicator as defined in claim 9, wherein the elements are openings formed in the relatively rigid portions, and further comprising projections inserted into and extending outward through the openings when the panel surrounds axis.   An applicator as defined in claim 9, further comprising a second integrally molded plastic panel lying substantially in a mold plane when formed and folded out of the last mentioned plane to surround said axis. towards the inside of the first mentioned panel, said second panel carrying said projections. 2905243 70   The applicator as defined in claim 2, wherein said panel is sufficiently flexible so as to be folded about said axis with a substantially continuous surface curvature, and said elements are projections formed on and extending toward the outside from the folded panel.   The applicator as defined in claim 12, wherein said panel is folded into a substantially cylindrical configuration with two long edges parallel to each other and to said axis.   An applicator as defined in claim 13, wherein said panel is provided with relatively rigid members extending respectively along said long edges abutting from each other when said panel is in said cylindrical configuration, said stopper comprising an element holding the rigid members together. 20   An applicator as defined in claim 12, wherein said panel comprises an elongated strip having a surface, said members are projections extending from said surface, and said strip is spirally folded about said axis with said surface facing outwards.   The applicator as defined in claim 15, wherein said retainer comprises a substantially rigid core extending along said axis and engaging said web to support and maintain said spiral. 2905243 71   An applicator as defined in claim 15, wherein said retainer comprises a yarn extending longitudinally through said strip, said yarn being spirally twisted so as to form and maintain said coil and said strip being molded around said yarn .   The applicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a hub area in alignment with the longitudinal axis and a plurality of members extending radially from the hub area when the panel is is substantially in the mold plane, each member having a free end and a second end foldably connected to the hub area such that the members are foldable relative to the central portion so as to be parallel to the axis to thereby surround the axis.   19. The applicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the panel is folded into a substantially cylindrical configuration with two long edges parallel to each other and to said axis.   20. A method of manufacturing a molded plastic applicator for cosmetic products or the like, comprising: (a) molding a foldable, one-piece plastic panel lying substantially in a mold plane and having a plurality of elements formed in or on the panel and oriented substantially in a common traction direction transverse to the mold plane, said elements being at least projections or openings; and (b) folding the panel out of the plane to surround an extended longitudinal axis such that said members are oriented substantially radially of said axis in directions distributed about said axis.   An applicator for cosmetics or the like, comprising (a) a transformed support member from an expanded configuration to a folded configuration; And (b) a plurality of members including projections or apertures or mixtures thereof, provided in initial orientation relative to each other in or on the support member in the extended configuration, at least some of the elements being reoriented with respect to other elements when the support member is transformed into the folded configuration.   A method of manufacturing an applicator for cosmetics or the like, comprising: (a) providing a foldable support member in an extended configuration, (b) providing in or on the support member, while the support member is in the first configuration, of a plurality of elements comprising projections or openings or their mixtures having an initial orientation with respect to each other, and (c) the transformation of the supporting member of the first configuration in a second fold configuration to form a base or core of the applicator, thereby reorienting at least some of the elements relative to the other elements.   23. A molded plastic applicator for cosmetics or the like, comprising a plastic panel molded around a foldable elongate insert and holding a shape, the panel initially being substantially in a mold plane and converted into a folded configuration at least partially out of the mold plane by bending the insert, and a plurality of elements formed in or on the panel, initially oriented in at least (i) a substantially common tensile direction transverse to the mold plane or (ii) the mold plane, at least some elements being reoriented with respect to other elements when the panel is converted to the folded configuration, and wherein any elements initially oriented in the substantially common tensile direction are projections or openings and any elements initially oriented in the mold plane are projections.   24. The applicator as defined in claim 23, wherein the elements are projections, the insert is a wire having opposite ends, and the panel is converted into the folded configuration by a method comprising folding the wire into a wire. substantially U-shaped having substantially parallel legs and twisting the legs each around the other.   25. The applicator as defined in claim 1, wherein the elements are bristles projecting from the panel and have greater flexibility in a first direction transverse to their lengths than in a second direction transverse to their lengths. .   An applicator as defined in claim 24, wherein the elements are bristles projecting from the panel and have greater flexibility in a first direction transverse to their lengths than in a second direction transverse to their lengths. 10   An applicator for cosmetics or the like comprising a support member and a plurality of bristles projecting therefrom, wherein the bristles are configured to have greater flexibility in a first direction transverse to their lengths than in a second direction transverse to their lengths.   28. A molded plastic applicator for cosmetics or the like, comprising a molded plastic initially located substantially in a mold plane and converted into a folded configuration at least partially out of the mold plane, and a plurality of elements formed in or on the panel, initially oriented in at least (i) a substantially common tensile direction transverse to the mold plane or (ii) the mold plane, at least some elements being reoriented with respect to other elements when the panel is converted into the folded configuration, and wherein any initially oriented elements in the substantially common tensile direction are projections or apertures. any elements initially oriented in the mold plane are projections.